A spin-off company, named Biomimetic, was newly created, implementing a technology invented within the FET /Pathfinder open project LiNabioFluid that was further developed thanks to the Innovation Launchpad funding given to the LaBionicS project.
The initial idea, born with the LiNaBioFluid project, was inspired by the integuments or behinds of certain animals such as bark bugs and lizards. By analysing how nature works, how do flat bark bugs darken when wetted for example, LiNaBioFluid understood how microstructures govern these processes and how this could be very useful for solving everyday engineering problems, such as the quest for lubrication to minimise resistance (and hence wasted energy) that could transform the energetic efficiency of millions of machines. The project managed to use laser processing in order to reproduce the exceptional natural behaviour on man-made products
These results were further developed with the Innovation Launchpad funding of the LaBionicS project that aimed at both commercializing and industrializing the surface laser processing approach for biomimetic surface texturing.
As outcome of the carried out research under the FET/Pathfinder open programme, the Biomimetic spin-off was recently funded with 900.000€ seed funding by Big Pi Ventures (https://bigpi.vc/), one of the funds of Equifund supported by the European Investment Fund (EIF).
The objective of Biomimetic is to decrease the light reflection or glare of transparent surfaces or screens, which is of high importance for practically any optical system and consumer electronics device, by utilizing laser irradiation, thus reducing production costs and environmental impact.
This completes now the innovation circle, started from basic research to the market funded under the EIC programme.
Background information
Pathfinder (FET-Open) and FET Proactive are now part of the Enhanced European Innovation Council (EIC) Pilot (specifically the Pathfinder), the new home for deep-tech research and innovation in Horizon 2020, the EU funding programme for research and innovation.